Feed-water regulator



Aug. 17,1926. 1,596,402

L. D. CHANDLER FEED WATER REGULATOR Filed Jan. 28. 1922 Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

rent O FFICE.

l nnn-we'rnn REGULATOR,

Application filed January 28, 1822. Serial No, 532,486.

his invent-ion relates to automatic-liquid feed regulators but more particularly to water 'e'ed regulators for' boilers and the objects thereof will readily appear from the following specification taken in'cohn'ection with the accompanying drawings of 5 one embodiment of the invention whiclihasbeen selected nerely for the purposes of illustration.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l isa lay-out of the regulator showing the same applied'to a boile r ind cennected parts thereof 'also the regulator v alve being shown in section while other parts are shown in elevation; and r i Fig. 2'is a tensv'erse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig showing the water column and overflow pipe in section;

In the present eseinplilication a liquid supply, herein waterpipe 1, is shown extending to and connected with a steam boiler Q, which latter may of any well known type of boiler. Inserted in the "pipe 1 is a valve casing '3 having inlet and'discharge chambers a and 5 separated by a partition 6 having ports 7 end 8 providing "communication between the inlet and discharge chambers and 5 through different substantially parallel portions of said partition, these ports 7 and 8 being so arranged opposite direetions into the discharge chamher 'i of said valve casing. Avalve. 9, preferably of the balanced type is arranged with said valve casing to operate inconjuncion with said ports". and Ssubstshtially of gul'ate the flow of liquid the other i of said valve The valve 9 preferably comprises a stem 10 upon which are two flanges 11 and arranged to register respectively with the how per unit of lift'of said valve flanges.

.ofaca to ischarge the liquid in substantially To further act upon s2;

will be counteracted by that acting in an .1

opposite direction against the flange 12 to the end that said valve will remain at the position in which it is placed, at least in so for as'the forces of iinp'act'thlereon by the water passing from the chamber lfontl e chamber 5 is-concerned; force exerted upon said valve will be, balaneed at any point in its throw. 7

' 'Opposcdto one endof the valve 9 is an adjustable stop screw 13 for positively opening the valve when desired. From the oppos te end of the valve 9a ste n lO extends into extension-1 lofthe valve (res ing' 3 herein through a bearing in a pertition 11 I lVithin the extension 14: is a suitable diaphragm 15, herein formed in the shape of bellows preferably constructed Oflllfitrilfllid attached at 16'to the valve stem 10, although it is to be understood that I re invention is not limited to the form of d' iphragni shown. Thbellews has n peri eral flange 17 secured between two tlangesrll audit), the flange 18 constituting. a part of the extension 1% while the flange 19 constitutes part 20 which closes the end of said valve The diaphragm or bellows 15 serves as a partition to divide the interior of the extension 14: into two parts or eh bers 21 and 2-2. The diaphraginl is inherently elastic orfiexible to allow the valve to move from is closed to its fully opened position and exerts a slight res'l-ient action upon said valve preferably to close the so nae. valve, a spring .;3 is provided, the 1 Uter being} preferably arranged within said bellows between the end 16 thatis attached to the valve stein and the cap 26 of'said valve casing extension.

An adjusting screw extending through suitable -packing or a leak-proof gland is arranged to supply a predetermined degree of pressure upon said spring t i ng to close said valve.

The function of the valve 9 is to regulate the flow of water or fluid, forit should be understood tiat the device is not limited to feedingof water, to a depository. which 1112). obviously be any reservoir orreceptacle for case extension.

In other words the one cause or another it is desirable that the valve 9- be closed or opened. accordingly. When the level of the water in said boiler reaches an abnormally high point the valve is preferably operated more quickly than it is during the ordinary operations of the boiler where the variations in said water level are but slight, at which time it is desirable that the movements of the valve 9 be very gradual. To these ends the device is provided with two water columns 26 and 27, the column 26 being preferably attacl ed to the boiler by two connecting pipes 28 and 29 arranged above and below said water line, and also having communication through pipes 30, 31, 32 and 33 with one side of the diaphragm, herein the chamber 22, although it will be obvious that the communication between the column 26 and the chamber 22 need not be confined to the. pipes 30, 31, 32 and 33 but that this communication may be efiected through the main feed pipe 1 around the stem 10 of the valve 9, which has more or less clearance, to the chamber 22.

The other water column 27 preferably has communication with the interior of the boiler 2 above the water level A preferably by means of a pipe 34: connecting the upper portion of the water column 23 with a chamber 43 intermediate the said water columns 26 and 27. The column 26 has communication at a point below its normalwater level. with said chamber 4:3 through a pipe The pipes 34 and 35 are provided with suitable valves 36, 36 wherewith to shut oi communication between the two columns when necessary. The water column 27 has communication with the other side of the diaphragm 15 or herein the chamber 21 through pipes 37, 38, 39 and 40, the latter being herein connected with the cap 20 of said valve casing.

The head of water in the column 26 is preferably adapted to remain substantially constant as it corresponds with the normal level of the water in the boiler 2, while the column 27 preferably contains avariable head, the normal level of which may, for example, be as indicated by the line 13-13. These two heads, at the levels shown, act in such cooperation with the pressure exerted by the springs 23 and inherent resiliency of the diaphragm 15 that they maintain the valve 9 open sufficient only to meet the norwater to the boiler.

mal demands of the boiler and, unoer these conditions, maintain the. level of water in said boiler, but a very small variation of these levels, be it ever so small, produces a difference in pressure within the diaphragm or bellows 15 sufficient to move the valve in one direction or the other.

In the present example the difference in weight of the water in the water column above that in the water column 27, as determined by the levels A and B is suflicient to counteract the action upon the valve 9 o the combined pressures exerted by the spring 23 and the diaphragm 15 tending to 0105 said valve and maintain said valve open sufficient to supply the normal amount of The maintaining of said valve in this position may be and herein is assisted by the peculiar inclinations of the faces 11 and 12 and of the lower flange 12 whereby the force of the water passing from the supply pipe through the ports 7 and 8 to the chamber 5 of the valve will be perfectly balanced and only the variations in the heads of the water in the two water columns cooperating with said spring and diaphragm, will have any tendency. to change the position of said valve and this point it should be understood that each unit of movement of the level of water in said column 27 has a definite unit of move ment in the valve 9.

The normal supply of water to the boiler through the opening shown in the drawings will not be adequate to maintain the water in the boiler 2 at the level A-A when the boiler is subjected to an abnormal loal moreover when the burden upon said boil-er is subnormal the normal supp y of feed water through the valve as shown, will be too great. ence the valve 9 must be operated to increase. or diminish the flow of said feed water as the case may be.

It is desirable that the aforesaid change in the position of the valve 9 be very gradual under ordinary circumstances and to this end, means have been provided for very gradually replenishing the water in the water column 27 whereby its head will be increased" sufficiently to assist the spring 23 and diaphragm 15 in overcoming the pressure of the head in the column 26 and thereby close or partly close said valve. Means also are provided for effecting a gradual discharge of the water in said column 27 whereby the head of i ater therein may be lowered and a reverse action of said valve to increase the supply of water to the boiler takes place. The means herein provided for replenishing said supply preferably include an overflow tube 42 connected with the upper end of the column 27, preferably arranged within the chamber 43, which chamber extends above and below the normal water level AA of the boiler and has, as hereinbefore stated, communication withthe column 26, this chamber being separated from the said water column 27 by a partition 44 consisting' 01 a tapered bushing 45 which surrounds the overflow tube 42 and has screw-threaded engagement with, a nipple-l6, the latter having screw-threaded engagement with the lower end of the casing constituting; the chamber 43. w

By reason or" the pipes as and water from the column 26 and the boiler 2 is permitted to circulate treely'through the chain ber 6L3 and around the overflow .tube 42, which latter is secured by the bushing in a predetermined position to maintain the water in said boiler at the desired level. The tube 42 is provided with a restricted opening for taking care of the normal overflow of water from its surrounding chamber and connecting tubes and directing said overflow into the column 27. For convenience the restricted opening is a'slot e7 any appropriate form arranged in the side of said tube 4-2 which slot, under normal conditions, extends from a point i slightly below the line AA to a point l9 above said water line but by reason of the adjustment hereinbeforedescribed including the tapered bushing 45 and the nipple l6, the position of said tube 42 may be varied when a different level of water is desired to be main- "tained.

In addition to the slot 47 which, in crosssection, is less than a full opening of the tube 42, the upper end 50 of said tube is left open to its full extent constituting an auxiliary opening whereupon should the water in the boiler increase too rapidly, the size of the discharge opening will be augmented by reason of the end opening 50 cooperating with the restricted opening 47 and, in such event, the head of water in the water column 27 will suddenly be increased and eiiect a more rapid or abrupt movement otthe valve 9 to close or partly close the ports 7 and 8 and out of? or reduce the supply.

The level BB of water in the column 2? is, under normal conditions, maintained substantially constant preferably in part by means of the discharge of water from said chamber 43 and in part by allowing said water to escape in predetermined quantities from said column 27 according to the normal amount that it is desiredto have dis charge through the overflow tube 12 "from the boiler. Obviously various ii orn'is of means may be provided for accomplishing this result but in the present etrrnple a needle valve 51 is arranged preterablynear the bottom of the column 27, said valve com prising a needle 52 cooperating with a tapered seat 53 in partition 54 of said valve, said needle being a propriately mounted in a suitable. casing so as to provide for the line adjustment of the opening therebetween and its'seat, said needle being here in hand operated although the invention is not limited to this method of operation. Ob-

viously the movements of the fluid in said column 27 may beinade more or less responsive to the disciiar ge of fluid through the slot 4 by'increasing or decreasing the diameter of the pipe 37.

Within the scope and purpose of the invention the controlling valve 9 for said water supply may be placed at anyconvenient level with respect to the boiler but in View of the fact that the feed water pipes for boilers aregenerally above the boiler itself, the valve in the present example is shown at a higher level than the normal level of the water within th boiler and obviously where such is the case, the heads Water within the water columns 26 and 27 will have little effect upon the diaphragia or bellows 15 without pressure of some sort being applied thereto. It is, therefore, partly forthis reason that the pipes 28 and 34.

are provided, for connecting the several water columns i'i't-h the boiler above the water line 'A and through these pipes, steam the water therein upwardly respectively to the chambers 21 and 22 of the valve casing 3.

There are periods when the pressures upon opposite sides of the diaphragm 15, or in'the chambers 21 and 22, may vary to such an extent that rupture of the diaphragm 15 likely to occur. Therefore to protect said diaphragm in such an emergency. means are provided herein consisting or reliet valves, preferably two 55 and 56 arranged respectively in bypasses 5'? and 58 between the water columns 26,,and 27. These relief valves,however, are arranged to work in opposite directions, for example, the reliel valve 55 is adapted only to be opened by a pressure which is greater in the chamber 22 than it is in "the chamber 21, thus acting i the direction of the arrow (1 while the va 56 is adapted to be opened-only when the pressure in the chamber 21 is greater than that in the chamber22 and acting in the direction of the arrow 'bsaid valves both being set to open when the pressure, as hereir tore described, begins to within predetermined safe limits, the bursting point of said diaphragm 1*), thus preventing any injury to said diaphragm.

Due to, the small opening 41'? in the tube 42 through which the normal overflow must discharge to the column 2? and also of the needle valve 51, said opening and said. needle valve are likely -to become clogged by small particles of foreign substances, such as dirt or the like from the boiler or various sections of the apparatus, and therefore, means are provided herein consisting, of a approach,

screen 59 which surrounds the tube 42 and covers both openings 47 and 50 in said tube, thus keeping all such foreign matter away from direct contact with said overflow passages or openings. Obviously considerable water will be discharged through the valve 51 ans if permitted to go to waste, would involve considerable expense. Therefore in the present example, means have been provided to return said waste water to the boiler. To this end a steam trap is connected with the column 27 below the valve 51 and into this the water passes from said valve where it is brought in contact with steam supplied through appropriate means such as a pipe 61 from the boiler 2 or any other available source. The steam admitted through said pipe heats the water discharged from said column 27 and supplies a pressure at the discharge side of said needle valve substantially equal to that upon the other side thereof. Any appropriate means may be provided for conveying the water from said trap to the boiler but herein the water from said trap is first conveyed to a tank 62 from whence it is pumped by a suitable pump through a pipe 6% back to said boiler.

By reason of'the fact that the }')18S?1H'B within the steam trap 60 and at the d1s charge side of said needle valve is the same as that acting upon the water in the columns 26 and 27; or in other words equal to boiler pressure, the discharge of water from said water column 27 through the valve 51 will be less rapid than it would be if dis charged at atmospheric pressure. Hence said valve 51 may be opened wider than would be possible in the latter case with much less likelihood of its clogging.

By reason of the two heads of water acting as described upon a diaphragm attached to a balanced valve in connection with a restricted and adjustable overflow and an ad justable discharge valve for the water column containing the variable head of water, a very delicately graduated operation or control of the feed water valve will be possible. Also the operation of the regulator will be more economical and less attention will be required by the attendant in charge, there being no st-uiiing boxes on the moving parts of the balanced valve to cause annoyance.

It should, however, be borne in mind that the apparatus, although shown as applied to a steam boiler, is not limited to such an application but may be utilized in feeding liquids of various sorts and although steam is used as a means for creating pressure in the two water columns obviously the invention is not limited to such but compressed air 7 or other fluids are equally adapted to such a function. Furthermore, although one specific embodiment has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the specific terms employed are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for the purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims:

1. A feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a water supply, a valve for controlling said supply, and means for effecting a gradual movement of said valve to increase or diminishthe flow of water from said supply, said means including an overflow pipe tube provided with a restricted fluid opening in the side thereof.

2. A feed water regulator comprising, in

combination, a water supply, a valve for controlling said supply, and means for effecting a gradual movement of said valve to increase or diminish the flow of water from said supply, said means including an overflow tube provided with a restricted fluid opening for use under normal conditions, and an auxiliary fluid opening. for use under abnormal conditions.

A feed water regulator comprising, in combination, water supply, a balanced valve for controlling said supply, a diaphragm operatively connected with said valve, two water celumns communicating re actively with spaces at opposite sides of said diaphragm, the level of the water in one of said columns being substantially constant, and means to convey surplus water therefrom. to the other column including an overflow tube having a restricted opening to retard the flow of water to said second column.

a. A feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a wat 1 supply, a balancedv valve for controlling said supply, a niaphragm operatively connected with said valve, two water columns communicating respectively with spaces at opposite sides of said diaphragm, the level of the water in one of said columns being substantially constant, means to convey surplus water therefrom to the other column including a tube having a restricted opening to retard the flow of water to said second column, and a screen covering said restricted opening to prevent foreign substances from clogging said opening.

5. A; feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a valve, a diaphragm connected with said valve, a water column containing a substantially constant head of water having communication with one side of said diaphragm, a second water column containing a variable head of water supplied by overfiow from said substantially constant head, and having communication with the other side of said diaphragm, and means to regulate the escape of water from said second water column.

6. A, feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a valve, a diaphragm connected with said valve, a water column containing open an constanthead of water having, con'imunication with one side of said diaphragm, a second water column to contain a variable head of water supplied by overflow from said substantially constant head and having communication with the other side or" said diaphragm, and a valve to regulate the escape of water from said second water column. I

8. In a feed water regulator, a balanced valve, a diaphragm connected with said valve, 21 water column containing a substantially constant head otwater having communication with one side of said diaphragm, a second water column to contain a variable head ofwa'ter supplied by overflow, from said substantially constant head and having communication with the other sideot' said diaphragm, and a needle valve to regulate the discharge of water from said second, water column.

9. In a feed Water regulator, a reservoir, a substantially, balanced valve for controlling the supply of water to said reservoir, a diaphragm connect-ed with said valve, a water column connected with said reservoir having asubstantially constant head of water in direct communication with the water in said reservoir and also in com-r munication with one side of said diaphragm, a second water column having communication with the other side of said diaphragm and having a variabl-e head of water supplied by overflow from said reser'voir,'1neans to effect a restricted flow of water from said reservoir to said variable head to gradually move said diaphragm, and means to effect a variable discharge of water from said variable head; v

10. In combination, a. valve, a diaphragm, connected. with said valve, a water column containing a substantially constant head of water having communication with one fsi'de concang a variable liead'of Watersupconstanthead and-liavi g, cesium-seme s rl v l l f- 5 l 1 ..P h aiiations in the; head of and latter co efif'ecting veinnt' ,or said did}? I l' i lose Sara valve, and meguess,

eluding a needle valve to effect the predetermined discharge of Water from said variable column.

1 feed waterregulator comprising, in

"nation, a valve, diaphragm connected with said valve, awater column containing a substaitally constant head'of water comuicating with'one side of said diaphragm, ,cond' water column containing a variable Jc d of water and having communication with the other side of said diaphragm, an overflow tube for conducting surplus water from said substantially constant head to said variable. head to effectmovement of said diaphragm and the valve connected therewith, and VZUlflblG means cooperating with said overflow tube to effect variations bet-ween the heads of water in said columns.

12; A feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a valve, a diaphragm connected i said valve, awater column containing a substantially constant head of water communiczrting with one side of said diaphragm, second water column containing a variable head of water having communication with the other side oi" said diaphragm, and a nori'nally stationary adjustable overflow tube for eond'uctin'g surplus water from said substantially constant head to said Variable head to effect movement'of said diaphragm and the. valve connected therewith, and

inunicafting' with one side of said diaphragm,

a second water 'colun' n containing a variable head of water ha'ving communication with the otl'i'er side oi said diaphragm, means including an elongated narrow sloten tending from a. point near the normal level or water of said substantially constant head to a substantial distance thereabove to eiiect an increase in the level ofwater in said variable head commensurate with the increase in the level of said substantially constant head, and means to elfect a predetermined gradual low- Gil of the level of water in said variable head.

'd diaphragm, a second water column feet movement of said diaphragm and the valve connected therewith, sail overflow tube having a restricted diszharge orifice for use under normal conditions, and a full dis charge orifice to cooperate with said restricted orifice when the water in said constant head is at an abnormal level.

to. A feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a boiler, a feed water pipe therefor, a valve arranged in said pipe to regulate the supply of water to said boiler, a diaphragm connepted with said valve, a water column having communication with one side of said diaphragm and witl said boiler, a second water column communicating with the other side of said diaphraen, means to maintain a predetermined level of water in the first mentioned water column and said boiler including a tube adapted to effect discharge of water from said first column into said second water column, a valve i. said second water column to regulate the escape of water therefrom, and means to con vey the water discharged from said second column back to said boiler.

16. A feed water regulator comprisin in combination, a valve, a diaphragn'i connected with said valve, two water columns adapted respectively to act upon opposite sides of said diaphragm to effect movements of. said diaphragm corresponding to variations in the heads of said columns, means to supply equal pressure to both of said columns, and means automatically to provide communication between opposite sides of said diaphragm when the difference in the pressure at said. opposite sides reaches a predetermined point.

17. A feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a valve, a diaphragm connected with said valve, two water columns adapted respectively to act upon opposite faces of said diaphragm to effect movements of said diaphragm corresponding with variations in the heads in said columns, means to supply equal pressure to both of said columns, and a relief valve interposed between said columns automatically to provide communication one with the other when the differences in pressures in said columns reach a given point.

18. A feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a valve, a diaphragm connected with said valve, two water columns adapted respectively to act upon opposite sides of said diaphragm to effect movements of said diaphragm corresponding to variations in the the heads of said columns, means to supply equal pressure to both of sand. columns, two bypasses connecting said water columns, a relief valve in one of said bypasses adapted automatically to open when the pressure in one of said columns rises to a predetermined point above the pressure in the other of said columns, a

relief valve in the other of said bypasses adapted automatically to open when the difference in pressures in said two water columns is in the opposite direction to that effecting the first mentioned relief valve whereby said diaphragm will be protected from rupturing during-abnormal pressures.

19. A feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a valve, a diaphragm connected with said valve, two water columns adapted respectively to act upon opposite sides of said diaphragm to effect movements of said oiaphragi'n corresponding to variations in the heads of said columns, means to supply equal pressure to both of said columns, and means including two opposed relief valves automatically to provide communication between opposite sides of said diaphragm when the difference in the pressures at said sides reaches a predetermined point.

in combination, a boiler, means to maintain water at substantially constant level in said boiler, including a water supply, a valve arranged in said supply, a hol lows connected with said valve, a spring cooperating with said bellows tending normally to close said valve, a water column connected with said boiler. and having a sub stantially constant head of water adapted to act against one face of said bellows, a second water column having a variable head of water adapt-ed to act against the opposite face of said bellows, and means to regulate the escape of water from said second water column whereby gradual movement of said valve will be effected.

21. In combination, a boiler, means to maintain the water at a substantially constant level in said boiler including a water supply, a balanced valve for said supply, a bellows connected with said valve, a spring cooperating with said bellows normally to close said valve, a water column having a head adapted to act in opposition to the inherent tension of said bellows and said spring to effect the opening of saidvalve, a second water column having a relatively smaller head of water adapted to act in cooperation with the pressure exerted by said spring and said diaphragm upon said valve and in opposition to the force exerted thereon by the first mentioned head of water, and means to effect variations in the heads of said columns including an overflow tube for said first mentioned head adapted to discharge into said relatively smaller head and a discharge valve for said variable head.

22. In combination, a boiler, means to maintain the water at a substantially constant level in said boiler including a water supply, a balance valve for said supply, a bellows connected with said valve, a spring cooperating with said bellows normally to close said valve, a water column having a head adapted to act in opposition to the.

inherent tension of said bellows and said spring to effect the opening of said valve, a second Water column having a relatively smaller head of Water adapted to act in cooperation With the pressure exerted by said spring and said diaphragm upon said valve and in opposition to the force exerted thereon by the first mentioned head of Water, and means to effect variations in the heads of said Water columns including a needle valve adapted to regulate the discharge of Water from said second Water column, and means including a steam trap to receive the Water discharged through said needle valve, and means to reccnvey the water from said trap to said boiler.

23. A liquid feed regulator comprising a liquid supply and means including an elongated discharge opening to automatically effect the gradual regulation of the feeding of said liquid from said supply.

9A. A feed water regulator comprising, in combination, a boiler, a feed Water iipe therefor, a valve arranged in said pipe to regulate the supply of Water to said boiler, a diaphragm connected with said valve. water column having communication With one side of said diaphragm and with said boiler. a second water column communicating with the other side of said diaphragm, means to maintain a predetermined level of water in the first mentioned Water column for said boiler including a tube having a restricted elongated discharge opening adapted to effect discharge of: Water from said first column into said second column and means to convey thev Water discharged into said second column back to said boiler.

A liquid feed regulator comprising a valve, a diaphragm connected with said valve, two Water columns adapted spectirely to act upon opposite faces of said diaphragm to effect movements or said dizphragm corresponding With variations in h heads of said columns, means to convey water from one of said columns to he other, an adjustable valve to regulate he discharge of water from the last menioned column, said adjustable valve having a discharge port relatively larger than required for the normal flow of Water to insure against clogging by foreign substances discharged from said boiler.

In a teed Wat-er regulator, a valve, a diaphrag n operatively connected with said valve, Water columns having communication respectively With opposite sides of said diaplira 'm arranged to effect the movements of said diaphragm commensurate with variations in the relative heads of Water in said colun'ins and means automatically to relieve presire at opposite sides of said diaphragm to prevent rupturing of said diaphragm.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

EONARD D. CHANDLER, 

